Congressional Veteran Commendation

Overview

The Congressional Veteran Commendation is a nominations-based program designed to recognize both the military service and continued community service of veterans living in the 17th Congressional District of Texas. Honorees are exceptional Americans in every way. The 2026 CVC honorees will be announced and recognized by Congressman Pete Sessions at a date to be determined later this year. Questions may be directed to Jordan van Wyk, at JORDAN.VANWYK@MAIL.HOUSE.GOV, or by telephone at 254-633-4500.

Rules & Requirements

Fill out the 2026 Congressional Veteran Commendation Nomination form to apply. See attachment below.

Eligibility

  • Veteran must currently reside in the 17th Congressional District of Texas. To verify, please visit www.house.gov and enter the veteran’s ZIP code in the “Find Your Representative" box.
  • Veteran was active duty in the United States armed forces or was a reservist called to active duty.
  • Veteran retired from the United States armed forces or was honorably discharged.

Nomination Instructions

Please send the following items, in one cohesive package, to 400 Austin Ave., Suite 302, Waco, Texas 76701-2139 by August 14, 2026. Packets may also be emailed to JORDAN.VANWYK@MAIL.HOUSE.GOV

  • The nomination form at the bottom of the page should be completed in its entirety.  
  • A detailed 1–2-page letter, addressed to Congressman Pete Sessions, which details why you believe the nominee should receive the 17th District’s Congressional Veteran Commendation. The letter should contain as much information as possible about the veteran’s community involvement (non-paid position) after leaving the service and their activities while in the military.
  • A current photo of the veteran (preferably in jpeg format).
  • DD-214
  • Copies of photos, military records, official letters, news clippings, and other factual documentation. These items are required in order to properly narrate their service and volunteer efforts to be entered into the Congressional Record should they be selected for the Commendation. Please do not submit originals.

2025 TX-17 Congressional Veteran Commendation Award Recipients

Alyn M. Macleod, U.S. Army (Pflugerville)

William F. Harris, U.S. Army (Cameron)

Danny C. Masur, U.S. Air Force (Rockdale)

Nola Saldana, U.S. Navy (Waco)

Martha Ybarra, U.S. Air Force (Waco)

Danny Smith, U.S. Army (Crawford)

William Matthews, U.S. Army (Mexia)

Charles Wagamon, U.S. Army Air Corps (Huntsville)

Richard Horn, U.S. Marine Corps (Huntsville)

John Airola, U.S. Marine Corps (Huntsville)

Christopher McGowen, U.S. Army (Nacogdoches)

Delman Orme, U.S. Army (Crockett)

2024 TX-17 Congressional Veterans Commendation Award Recipients

Cheryl Brady, U.S. Army (Nacogdoches)

Linda Conner, U.S. Air Force (Lufkin)

William Reeves, U.S. Army (Trinity)

Milton Ladnier, U.S. Army (Crockett)

Rickey Hurst, U.S. Army (Nacogdoches)

Bobby Broneske, U.S. Air Force (Huntsville)

Andrew Huffman, U.S. Air Force (Centerville)

Earnest Barron, U.S. Navy (Huntsville)

Robert Rochell, U.S. Army (Woodway)

Donald Johnson, U.S. Army (Groesbeck)

Donald McDonald, U.S. Marine Corps (Groesbeck)

Harold Rafuse, U.S. Air Force (Crawford)

Jimmie Hanes, Jr., U.S. Air Force (Crawford)

Joseph Robert, U.S. Air Force (Mart)

Luis Lopez, U.S. Marine Corps (Waco)

Walter Lavender II, U.S. Navy (Lorena)

2023 TX-17 Congressional Veteran Commendation Award Recipients

Jason Bradford, U.S. Marine Corps (Nacogdoches)

Ellen Brooks, U.S. Air Force (Crockett)

Brian Crews, U.S. Marine Corps (Lufkin)

Arnold Gray, U.S. Army (Groesbeck)

David Knesek, U.S. Navy (Cameron)

John Knue, U.S. Air Force (Robinson)

Kenneth Lee, U.S. Marine Corps (Huntsville)

Mark Lee, U.S. Air Force (Pflugerville)

Jerry Lorton, U.S. Army (Cameron)

Bob Solenberger, U.S. Army (McGregor)

Vince Tobola, U.S. Air Force (Waco)

James Villa, U.S. Marine Corps (Waco)

John Wells, U.S. Army (Woodway)

ImageCongressman Sessions with 2023 CVC Recipients

2019 TX-17 Congressional Veteran Commendation Award Recipients

James Allmon, U.S. Air Force (Waco)

Edward Brown, U.S. Air Force (Waco)

Larry Gee, U.S. Air Force (Waco)

Charles Howard, U.S. Navy (Waco)

Herbert Casey, Jr., U.S. Air Force (Mexia)

James Oden, U.S. Army (Pflugerville)

Stephen Washburn, U.S. Marine Corps (Pflugerville)

2018 TX-17 Congressional Veteran Commendation Award Recipients

Henry Kasper, U.S. Army (Lacy Lakeview)

Jerry Webb Guinn, U.S. Air Force (Waco)

Clifton Beene, U.S. Army (Mexia)

Rolando Hernandez, U.S. Marine Corps (Waco)

Steven Hernandez, U.S. Air Force (Waco)

Claude Monk, U.S. Army Air Corps (Tehuacana)

Doran Calvin Perryman, U.S. Navy (Moody)

Thomas David Sather, U.S. Army (Marlin)

DeLisa Russell (Spring)

Loren Kendig, U.S. Army (McGregor)

Daniel Griffith, U.S. Marine Corps (Pflugerville)

Douglas Killian, U.S. Marine Corps (Pflugerville)

2017 TX-17 Congressional Veteran Commendation Award Recipients

Michael Russell, U.S. Army (Waco)

Maurice Ramon, U.S. Army (Waco)

Everlyn Humphrey, U.S. Air Force (Waco)

Phillip Zendejas, U.S. Army (Pflugerville)

Kenneth Kidd, U.S. Air Force (Pflugerville)

Jim Wilkinson, U.S. Army (Pflugerville)

2016 TX-17 Congressional Veteran Commendation Award Recipients

Steve Gore, U.S. Marine Corps (Pflugerville)

Prince Humphries, U.S. Army (Pflugerville)

2015 TX-17 Congressional Veteran Commendation Award Recipients

Brian Allen, U.S. Army (Pflugerville)

Eduardo Zamora, U.S. Army (Pflugerville)

Kevin Cole, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy Reserve, U.S. Air Force Reserve (Elm Mott)

Harold Federweisch, U.S. Army (Riesel)

Olen Hamilton, U.S. Army (Riesel)

Jon Ker, U.S. Army (Valley Mills)

Edward Newman, U.S. Navy (Waco)

James Savell, U.S. Army (Robinson)

Robert Storey, Jr., U.S. Navy (Mart)